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A 'turbo' for solid oxide fuel cells
To convert waste heat from solid oxide fuel cells into electricity is the goal of the HITTEC project. Researchers are developing a thermoelectric converter to make fuel cell systems more efficient, possibly generating an extra 10 per cent energy output.
December 10, 2012 Read more
New $25m, five-year project to explore new ways to improve plant photosynthesis
The project, titled RIPE - Realising Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency, has the potential to benefit farmers around the world by increasing productivity of staple food crops.
December 10, 2012 Read more
Poorer quality wheat when carbon dioxide levels in the air rise
Rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide have a negative impact on the protein content of wheat grain and thus its nutritional quality.
December 10, 2012 Read more
Global Photonic Energy Corporation develops potential grid parity solar celll
The company announces the demonstration of a thin-film solar cell that can potentially provide electricity at grid parity, or the cost of traditionally provided electricity.
December 10, 2012 Read more
New NOAA report presents sea level rise scenarios to 2100
This new provides a synthesis of the scientific literature on global sea level rise, and a set of four scenarios of future global sea level rise.
December 6, 2012 Read more
Promoting evidence-based decision-making: Qatar and PIK announce creation of climate change research institute
Qatar Foundation in partnership with the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) announced the creation of a pioneering climate change research institute. It will be the first of its kind in a country whose wealth is founded on fossil fuels.
December 6, 2012 Read more
Researchers investigate impacts of climate change on rare tropical plants
Research led by the University of York has found that the impacts of climate change on rare plants in tropical mountains will vary considerably from site to site and from species to species.
December 6, 2012 Read more
Warm sea water is melting Antarctic glaciers
The ice sheet in West Antarctica is melting faster than expected. New observations published by oceanographers from the University of Gothenburg and the US may improve our ability to predict future changes in ice sheet mass.
December 6, 2012 Read more
Middle East beginning to embrace solar energy (w/video)
With its vast deserts and long stretches of sunny days, the Middle East would seem to be an ideal place to harness solar energy. But until now, the region has largely shunned solar because it has cost about three times more than heavily-subsidized fossil fuels.
December 6, 2012 Read more
More potent than carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide levels in California may be nearly three times higher than previously thought
Berkeley Lab researchers devise a new method to estimate state's greenhouse gas emissions.
December 5, 2012 Read more
Improved performance for solar cells
Highly efficient p-type dye-sensitized solar cell with cobalt-based electrolyte
December 5, 2012 Read more
Climate models project increase in U.S. wildfire risk
Scientists using NASA satellite data and climate models have projected drier conditions likely will cause increased fire activity across the United States in coming decades.
December 4, 2012 Read more
Garage Technology Ventures launches Cleantech Investment Program
The partnership is initially focused on technologies of strategic interest to corporate partners in the areas of materials science, energy technologies, advanced chemistry, and clean technologies. As the program expands, the scope will include software, IT, communications, mobile, and other sectors.
December 4, 2012 Read more
New findings suggest that changes to home construction design could result in 80% energy savings
According to collaborative research led by Ryerson University, a simple change in the way we live in our homes, and the introduction of a heat pump, could save up to 80% on energy consumption.
December 4, 2012 Read more
Symposium "Limits to Growth" draws up a blueprint for sustainable development
Every eighth human being suffers either from undernourishment or starvation, and 12.5% of the world's population has no access to clean drinking water - just two background facts in focus on the second day of the anniversary symposium entitled "40 Years Limits to Growth", where scholars are debating ways out of the scarce-resource dilemma.
December 4, 2012 Read more
Plastic packaging industry is moving towards completely bio-based products (w/video)
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland has developed a technique to significantly improve the quality of bio-based plastic packaging. The new generation of bio-based plastic packaging is not only eco-friendly but also has several superior qualities compared to traditional plastic packaging.
December 4, 2012 Read more
Advancing energy efficiency through two new ARPA-E projects at Berkeley Lab
Two Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) research projects were awarded grants by the Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) to advance energy technologies. The two grants total nearly $5 million.
December 3, 2012 Read more